The fire was reportedly started by an overturned candle, a constant risk throughout the strip as civilians deal with daily blackouts as the strip’s sole power plant is constantly running out of fuel after only a few hours operation. 18 hour daily blackouts are now the norm, making candles all but obligatory.

Getting more fuel isn’t easy, with Israel’s blockade severely limiting the places from which the strip can obtain diesel for the plant, basically making them buy it all from the Palestinian Authority. The PA, in turn, has been raising the taxes on the fuel going to Gaza, meaning the same amount of money in the impoverished strip is buying less and less fuel.

Hamas issued statements after the fire faulting both Israel and the PA for the deaths, saying they are complicit in the deaths. The PA issued a statement condemning Hamas in general, insisting all their claims are false. They did not, however, suggest they were going to do anything to ease the fuel shortages.

Author: Jason Ditz

The Israeli blockade of Gaza in itself is an act of war. It’s a criminal act affecting civilians the worst. cutting fuel for electricity is what contributed to the deaths of three children in a house fire. Without power, households in Gaza have no choice but to use candles for light, and candles can be dangerous to children. All it takes is for one candle to be knocked over, or for fabric to brush against one, to start a fire.
The Palestinian Authority isn’t helping much to alleviate the electricity crisis in Gaza, either. Without fuel, the Strip’s power plant is unable to supply it with electricity; and raising the price of this fuel doesn’t help at all. The PA controls the price of fuel; thus, by raising the price, the PA is complicit in Israel’s illegal blockade and deserve the same condemnation as the Zionist Entity.